Hidden Talents

Author:

Jayne Ann Krentz

Published:

Pocket Books, October 1993 ; 406 pages

Subgenre:

Contemporary romance

Setting:

United States -- Witt's End WA, 1990s

Main characters:

Caleb Ventress and Serenity Makepeace

Sexual explicitness:

Explicit

Keywords:

Modern issues ; blackmail, businessmen, mail order businesses, orphans, photography, whole foods stores

Reader rating:

Reader comments:

JAK writes great novels, but this one left me feeling as if she just wrote the novel to have something out before she came out with "Grand Passion" a way-better read. It was like reading some of silhouette romances, I felt there was a need for more character development between the hero and heroine. (S.B., 5-26-98) She's good alright. Can't you just see her in the midst of great guffaws while she's thinking up names for her characters. I'll bet it's one of her favorite pastimes. I know it sends me into laughing spasms! What fun! (S.J., 3-14-98) Okay, but odd explanation of Serenity's virginity--a hallmark of her writing as Quick. Still, better than most. (C.K., 5-4-97) I really love Krentz's novels and whenever a new one comes out on the market, I'm right there waiting, money in hand. I definitely love her older stuff, the newer stuff is losing it's edge of excitement and whodunit kind of feelings. If you're looking for a good Krentz novel, me and my roommates definitely recommend, The Golden Chance, Trust Me, Perfect Partners, Family Man and there is one more novel with the characters of Sam Hatchard and Jessie Benedict, but I can't remember the name :). Those are definitely some of the best examples of her work, now the newer novels like Absolutely, Positively and Deep Waters really disappointed me by not telling me a story, but it was like looking into the ordinary day of someone's life. Granted, there was, as always, some humerous dialogue, but in the end i was left with the feeling of "is that all???". By the by, Krentz is still and will always be one of my favourite authors. I have all of her books, and I will always continue to critique her honestly. (M.L.C., 4-25-97) basically a good book from JAK, but I think it was not one of her best. My preference for contemporary romance by JAK is "Hidden Talents" and my favourite historical romance by Amanda Quick aka JAK is "Scandal" (M.B., 4-23-97) I like the way M.Krentz mixes some fun paranormal/mystic "stuff" into her writing. I have read all of her books, more than once. Hidden Talents has a hidden heart. As always a must read, for the avid fan. (B.B., 2-12-97) Not one of my favorites but not bad. As always, am looking forward to the next one. (M.R., 1-28-97) I have read all of the Jayne Ann Krentz (and Amanda Quick) books I could find. She is my favorite author!!! Please keep writing! (E.Z., 11-20-96) This is not one of Krentz's best. I have been reading her for years -- when she used to write as Jayne Castle and Stephanie James. I agree that her plots are somewhat predictable, but so what? I happen to like that plot-line. And it works for her. I also like that she writes both from the female AND male point of view -- one of the first to do so. Keep on writing, Jayne! (B.G., 11-5-96) Another great book by krentz! Funny, romantic and plots that keep you reading through the night. She can't write them fast enough for me ! (D.N., 10-27-96) I have enjoyed every Krentz, and this book was no exception. Although her plots tend to run along the same line, I find them so enjoyable that I never mind, unlike so many others. (R.G., 9-27-96) Love Krentz! Wish I could find some of her earlier works. (A.F., 9-20-96) Krentz really is great! This book really one page-turning romance story. (F.S.H., 9-17-96) I love all of her books. I can hardly wait for the next one to come out. She has great characters and there is always humor to go along with the mystery and suspence. (J.B., 9-7-96) Jayne Ann Krentz has a flair for original characters that no other romance author can match. She's the best! (N.R., 6-9-96) Like all Krentz novels, a mystery combined with a romance. This one is particularly funny, with especially wonderfully drawn, eccentric supporting characters. Slyly satirical, yet romantic and quick moving. While it is true that her novels all seem to follow the same pattern, it is a pattern I find extremely enjoyable! (B.A., 6-5-96) Didn't do much for me, and I barely remember what it was about. (D.N., 5-12-96) J.A.Krentz is a superb writer who uses passion and wit in her stories to bring her characters together. This was my reaction after reading two of her novels - but now having read almost all of them, I feel that she recycles and regurgitates all of her material over and over. She needs to apply her great skills in writing towards new situations and original characters. (S.G., 5-7-96) I am probably the biggest Jayne fan that there is. Another great one. If you like this one, you will love ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY! (J.W., 4-30-96) Although I've read every Jayne Ann Krentz novel and have enjoyed them all, I feel like I've read the same novel over and over again. How about something new? A heroine who is not sexually naive; a hero who is not calculating? (L.J., 3-24-96) I have read all of Jayne Ann Krentz books and loved everyone of them. (P.M., 3-20-96) This was my first Krentz novel and I loved it. Her inventive story-telling and character have me hooked. I can't wait to buy more. (A.T., 3-18-96) Great book! A Keeper. (M.P., 2-11-96) I have read either five or six of Krentz's books and I'm just tired of the predictability in every single one. This book followed the same exact pattern and I definitely felt cheated after reading it. I'm through with this author! (R.I., 1-31-96) I love all her books ... even under Amanda Quick. She's one of my favorite authors. (M.F., 1-23-96) Funny, interesting characters. (J.P., 12-2-95) Pretty much what I expected doesn't give this book a great rating. Is it just me or are most of her female charaters the same? For once, I would like to see one of her female characters have the "mysterious past" and be less naive! In all her books, the female lead is "waiting" for the man to come along. It would be nice to see the female lead have money, power position and not the man. Come on! It's the 90's! (J.L., 11-18-95) Jayne Ann Krentz is one of my very favorite authors because of her spunky, enchanting heroines as well as her smooth style of writing. (R.Y.W., 11-7-95) Krentz has fallen into a predictible pattern. Her books have lost their edge. This being so, she is still better then 98% of the other romance novelist out there. (F.S., 11-5-95) Jayne Ann Krentz is my favorite writer. I have all but a few of her books and they are all KEEPERS!!! (M.B., 10-28-95) Jayne Ann Krentz is the queen of spicy dialogue. I can definitely hear the characters talking. Oh, and that hero . . . Gosh! (E.J., 9-28-95) I love Jayne Ann Krentz. This book was definitely a keeper. (L.P-S., 8-8-95) Jayne Krentz's books are always a joy to read. I loved it!! (C.S., 7-29-95) I love her books, she's great. She's also great as Amanda Quick. (N.O., 6-22-95) Funny as Krentz's latest stuff always is. She's great with secondary characters, too. (K.K., 6-22-95) Krentz is my favorite author! Hidden Talents was lots of fun. Plus how could I not like the hero and his last name! (C.V., 5-18-95)

Rate this book

Other books by this author

Return to the main page of the Romance Novel Database